Romance of the Italian Lakes Enjoy the charm and beauty of the most picturesque lakes in the world Tour Code: 17450 Grade 4 and 6 Holiday Duration: 10 nights HOLIDAY DATES 20th May 2019-30th May 2019 The most picturesque in the world, Lakes Maggiore and Como in Italy resonate with romanticism. HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS Admire the views across Lake Como and when crisscrossing the lakes by ferry. Visit the world-famous gardens and the Borromean Islands. Pigra. A brilliant high-level traverse with outstanding views of the Alps. Walk from the Mottarone cable car.
THE ROMANCE OF THE ITALIAN LAKES You can almost hear the lakes and mountains resonate with romanticism. There are vast displays of flowers in perfect contrast to the various hues of blue of the lake and sky. The snow capped peaks in the distance add yet more contrast to this chocolate box scene. This is not country for those who prefer serious mountains. The scene of rhododendron and the throb of the ferry boats plying their trade across the lake accompany our walks. Belle Epoque villas and manicured gardens await exploration. Perhaps a lake shore cafe terrace surrounded by bobbing boats of every colour might distract. Experience this journey with Ramblers Walking Holidays. Another season, another walk this time above the lake. Chestnuts and walnuts litter our path climbing slowly away from the lake. As we climb the views of the lake are revealed. The further we climb the better views but it would be a shame to rush. We see different views from our return across the lake by ferry. Accompanied this time by the gentle slap of water on the hull as shore lines recede and advance. These are the sights and sounds to be savoured in one of the world's more beautiful places. Using the ferries plying the lakes we can take in the best walking and sightseeing. Wherever we travel wonderful views are a feature of our walking. There are climbs to hillside chapels and views of lakes small and large and some great challenges on the higher grade walks. Bellagio in particular is a very pretty town set on the end of the peninsula. Set aside some time to have a good look around, browse in the many shops and have a cup of tea or ice cream in a lakeside café. WHAT'S INCLUDED Return flights from Heathrow to Milan Malpensa (British Airways) Airport transfers Half board en suite accommodation Two walks, two leaders, two grades All local transport costs. HOLIDAY GRADE This a Grade 4 and 6 walking holiday divided between Stresa on Lake Maggiore and Bellagio on Lake Como. Both centres offer some outstanding walking at either grade taking in lake shore paths, mountain peaks, lake views and stunning alpine vistas.
Proposed Itinerary Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice. Key to Meals: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner. In flight meals, if appropriate, will be advised in your final travel documents Day: 1 - Bellagio (D) Fly to Milan Malpensa Airport and transfer to Bellagio. Day: 2 - Bellagio (B,D) Grade 4 walkers take the ferry across the lake to Menaggio to enjoy a circular walk into the Val Sanagra hills above the town. 12km (8 miles); 420m ; 4 Grade 6 walkers can start in the same place but take a longer and more challenging circuit in the Val Sanagra hills. 18km (12 miles); 700m ; 4½ Day: 3 - Bellagio (B,D) Grade 4 walkers start with a ferry ride to Lenno, directly across the lake from Bellagio. We walk north on cobbled paths and tracks to reach Cadenabbia and Villa Carlotta. 13km (8 miles); 400m ; 4 Grade 6 walkers also cross the lake but walk up to a viewpoint above Cadenabbia. It offers the chance to see fascinating remains of WW1 trenches. 14km (8 miles); 780m ; 4 Day: 4 - Bellagio (B,D) Grade 4 walkers have a relaxed walk from Varenna to Bellano and on to Dervio if possible. This is our chance to explore the eastern side of the lake. 12km (7 miles); 350m ; 3 Grade 6 walkers will take the high level ridge walk to Monte San Primo with panoramic views of Monte Rosa, Matterhorn and Monte Viso. But only if the weather is good. 15km (9 miles); 620m 775m ; 4 Day: 5 - Bellagio (B,D) Grade 4 walkers can follow L'Antica Strada Regina, built by the Romans, along the lake from Menaggio to Rezzonico. 11 km (7 miles); 380m ; 4 Grade 6 walkers can enjoy a classic walk taking the cable car up to Pigra, walk passed Montes Pasquella and Sertore to Costone. 13km (8 miles); 750m ; 5 Day: 6 - Stresa (B,D) Today we transfer to Stresa. The journey takes the morning so we should arrive in time for lunch. We will have plenty of time to an introductory walk around this picturesque lakeside town. Day: 7 - Stresa (B,D) This is planned as free day but there are myriad options for walks and sightseeing. Your RWH leaders will be happy to advise. Day: 8 - Stresa (B,D) Grade 4 walkers might enjoy an excursion to the famous Borromean Islands a short boat journey from Stresa. The pace of the day will be relaxed and the gardens outrageously sumptuous. Grade 6 walkers can take a walk up from Verbania to the summit of Monte Orfano with its spectacular views, before descending to pretty Mergozzo on the lake of the same name. 12 km (8 miles); 700m ; 4 Day: 9 - Stresa (B,D) Grade 4 walkers take the cable car to Monte Mottarone (1490m). After enjoying the fresh air and views to Monte Rosa, the walk descends down to the Alpine Gardens at the mid station on the cable car. 15 km (9 miles); 400m 750 m ; 3½ Grade 6 walkers also take the cable car to enjoy a lovely varied walk with spectacular views over to Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore and the high peaks of the Alps. The walk passes spectacular granite rocks, and the steep outcrop of Monte Zughero. 13 km (8 miles); 450m 1000m ; 4
Day: 10 - Stresa (B,D) Grade 4 walkers can enjoy a walk from Stresa to Belgirate. The walk is generally easy underfoot on tracks some of which are cobbled. A coffee stop at Brisino offers magnificent views. Finish in Belgirate for gelato. A lake side bus takes us back to Stresa. 11km (6½ miles); 300 ; 3 Grade 6 walkers might finish at Belgirate but take a higher level path through Lesa and on to Belgirate. The walk is mainly on mule tracks with some outstanding view points (notably our intended picnic spot) on the way. 16.5km (10 miles); 580m ; 3½ Day: 11 - In Flight (B) Transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport for our flight to the UK. Walks & Excursions Please note clients with Royal Horticultural Society membership cards can get free entry to some villas and gardens. Members of the National Trust in the UK may also be interested to know that the Italian sister organisation FAI offers free or reduced entry to its Italian sites on production of a valid national trust membership. Please consult http://eng.fondoambiente.it/ for further information. 2x Walks, 2x Leaders, 2x Grades On 2x Walks, 2x Leaders, 2x Grades' departures, where we provide two tour leaders and offer a choice of easier or harder walks each day, we hope to be able to accommodate your choice of walk. However safety considerations do govern the sizes of groups in each walking grade; the minimum number of participants for a guided walk at a given grade and the maximum group size will be as indicated for the walk grade. On most departures we are able to accommodate most clients' first choice of walk most of the time, however some flexibility and co-operation may be required. In unusual circumstances where a disproportionately high number of clients wish to walk at one grade, for safety reasons, we may not be able to provide you with your choice of walk each day. Although we will endeavour to accommodate as many clients' choices as possible, it may be necessary for you to switch between higher and lower grade walks during the holiday. Any decision regarding group sizes and the participants in the day's walking programme rests with our tour leader(s). For safety reasons the minimum number of participants on a walk will be 4 plus the leader. Optional Excursions A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions. Leaders Evening Briefing Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Local Transport Costs All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. Personal Expenditure Budgeting for Extras When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is 10-20 per person per day. Tipping Your tour leader has been allocated a small tipping allowance to distribute to accommodation and travel staff. However should you wish to reward someone providing you a high individual service please feel free to offer an additional personal and discretionary tip. Small Groups Coming from all walks of life your fellow travelling companions will share your desire to discover great things and have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy their infectious enthusiasm, camaraderie and great dinner conversation. These small-group guided holidays usually have a group size of 10-22 people. Group Size Coming from all walks of life your fellow travelling companions will share your desire to discover great things and have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy their infectious enthusiasm, camaraderie and great dinner conversation. Our maximum group size for guided walks between grade 5 and grade 8 is 18 persons. Tour Leaders Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't
have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. On most holidays of 7 nights and over, the tour leader will have one day's break a week, enabling you to have a 'free' day too!
Travel Details We fly from London (Heathrow) and Manchester to Milan (Malpensa) and return with British Airways. Manchester flights are operated by Flybe. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. Please note that we have separate transfers meeting London and Manchester flights on arrival and on departure. Transfers between Malpensa Airport and Stresa are by road and take approximately 1 hr. If you intend to join and leave the holiday in Italy, it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will join the party at the hotel in Stresa and leave the party from the hotel in Bellagio. If this is not your intention, please let us know, in writing, at least 5 weeks before departure. For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure. Personal Details Check When confirming your booking, we provide you with a Personal Details Check form. This is to ensure that we have an accurate record of the information you have provided us such as your passport details (if relevant), date of birth and any other important detail necessary for us to properly manage your holiday arrangements. When you receive this, please check the details, complete any missing or pertinent information and return it to us as soon as possible. Land Only If you are joining and leaving at your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday from your hotel. Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you. If you wish to organise your own flights from a non- UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'no-travel' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details. Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance. Passports and Visas Information for Italy Passports should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Italy. Your passport does not need any additional period of validity beyond this. British citizens don't need a visa to enter Italy. General Passport & Visa Advice It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.
Accommodation Hotel Fioroni Viale Domenico Vitali n. 2 Bellagio 22021 Italy Phone: +39 031 950392 Web: www.hotelfioroni.com Email: info@hotelfioroni.com Hotel Della Torre Via Sempione 47 Stresa 28838 Italy Phone: +39 0323 32555 Web: www.hoteldellatorrestresa.net Email: hdt@hoteldellatorrestresa.net The Hotel della Torre is located close to the lake shore a little outside Stresa town. It is ideally located for the cable car ride up Monte Mottarone which we take for one of our walks. The hotel is well equipped with swimming pool, gym and rooms finished in a pleasant modern style. In Bellagio the Hotel Fioroni is located above the centre of this pretty little town with beautiful views across the lake. The hotel has also been recently renovated. All rooms are air conditioned and have satellite TV, telephone, minibar and safe. Shops, banking and post office facilities are within short walks of the hotels. Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday charge and will be taken at the hotels except dinner in Bellagio which is taken in local restaurants. Lunches are not included.
Footwear Good quality waterproof walking boots with a moulded sole and deep tread and which provide good ankle support are essential for the walking programme on this holiday. Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded rubber sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded rubber sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. If you are an experienced walker with strong ankles a good quality pair of trail or approach shoes may well be suitable for some walks. We recommend that you either wear your walking boots or shoes or pack them and some waterproofs in your hand luggage as in the unlikely event that your hold luggage is delayed, you will still be able to participate in the holiday programme. Kit List Outdoor activities are always more enjoyable if you are prepared. The following list is a basic guideline that will enhance your experience. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. A basic kit list is likely to include: - Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers - Lightweight, quick drying trousers - Several polo shirts, T-shirts or specialist walking shirts - Fleece jacket - Comfortable walking socks - Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate) - Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and high SPF sun block - Swimwear (if appropriate) - Day sack (25 litre capacity) to comfortably carry the kit you'll take out on your days activity - Strong polythene bags to keep the contents of your daypack dry - Water bottle(s) - at least 1 litre capacity - Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic etc) - Insect repellent - Plastic container and reusable cutlery for your picnic lunches - Walking/trekking poles (if applicable) Trekking Poles Many of our clients find walking poles hugely beneficial when walking. They can both reduce stress on the knees and aid confidence. If you use them please make sure that you have the rubber tips covering the sharp metal points. There is increasing evidence that the bare metal tips are damaging footpaths both in the UK and abroad. Water-to-Go An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles. We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays. Travel Document Checklist Documents and Information to take with you: - Your passport (make sure it's valid and it's yours) - Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary - Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required) - Holiday money - Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost) - Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked) - Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked) - Your holiday Booking Confirmation document - Your travel insurance details - Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence)
- Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport - A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant - Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about Maps, Guidebooks & Advice Maps and guidebooks relating to your holiday may be obtained before departure from: The Map Shop (www.themapshop.co.uk) The following maps have proved useful: Terra tra due Laghi 1:30,000 (only available locally) for Stresa / Lake Orta. Kompas 91 1:50,000 Lago di Como-Lago di Lugano for Lake Como. Many local libraries stock a good selection of travel guides/books which may offer you more information on the Trentino region. You may find the following websites useful: Italian State Tourism: www.enit.it Como Tourist Office: www.comune.como.it Maggiore Tourist Office: www.italiantourism.com/lakes2.html Weather and Climate Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination: Weather2 www.myweather2.com BBC Weather www.bbc.co.uk/weather
Currency Currency in Italy The currency in Italy is the Euro. Electricity Italy Electricity in Italy is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at www.powerplugadapter.uk. Health Italy No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Italy. You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK. You may wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis. Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP. Language Italian. Insurance Travel Insurance You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you are adequately insured for the nature of your holiday. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance. Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for medical expenses, mountain rescue and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury, and that your policy provides adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday. See our brochure or website for further advice regarding holiday insurance. Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers. Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started. Further Travel Health Advice For further advice please visit: - The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk - The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk - The Foreign Office Office Travel Advice Website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. - Or a local travel health clinic. You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands. EHIC Cards Please take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you; it will help you in the event of you needing medical assistance during your holiday. Please note the the EHIC has an expiry date, so please check that your card is valid for the duration of your holiday. Please note however the an EHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance. For more information please visit www.ehic.org.uk. Personal Safety The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa
information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination. Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used. Cultural Awareness Responsible Travel We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website. Heart & Sole We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support. Communication Important Information Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases the revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will remain unchanged. Should we make a major change to your holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of this Holiday Information Sheet online prior to travel. Please note that any advertised offers, benefits or initiatives may be discontinued at any time. Contact Us Ramblers Walking Holidays - Tel: UK +44 (0)1707 331133 - Email: info@ramblersholidays.co.uk - Web: www.ramblersholidays.co.uk Our office is open and our Sales & Reservations team available to speak to you from: - 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday - 9.15am to Midday on Saturdays - 9.15am to 3pm on Saturdays in January & February only Please quote your Booking Reference number and Tour Code whenever contacting us. We wish you an enjoyable holiday! Mobile Phones Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements. Please do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements. As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals. Feedback We welcome all comments about our holidays and value ideas for the future. If you have provided us with an email address we will invite you to complete an online questionnaire or to add feedback to our page on independent review site 'Feefo'.